The sandpaper fish, commonly referred to as the roughskin dogfish (Centroscymnus owstonii), is a deep-sea shark species known for its abrasive, sandpaper-like skin. This species inhabits continental slopes and deep oceanic waters, primarily between 300 and 1,500 meters deep. The roughskin dogfish is targeted mainly for its liver oil and meat, which are valued in some markets. The leading countries involved in the commercial harvest of sandpaper fish include Spain, Portugal, and New Zealand, each with established deep-sea fishing fleets operating in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These nations have developed specialized longline and trawl fisheries to target deepwater sharks like the sandpaper fish, although concerns about overfishing and the species' slow reproductive rates have led to increased regulation and monitoring in recent years.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 17 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.